Mouthpiece for musical instruments



(No Model.)

J. E. POWLER. MOUTHPIBGE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. No. 474,118.

Patented May 3, 1892.

five/afar.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. FOWVLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MOUTHPIECE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 474,118, dated May 3, 1892.

Application filed October 13, 1891. Serial No. 408,619. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN E. FOWLER, of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mouthpieces for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a full and complete description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to the mouthpiece for acornet or other wind-instrument in which a supplementary portion is added, whereby the vibration is produced that is usually effected by the natural lip.

For the purpose of accomplishing the object of my invention heretofore a soft rubber tubular piece has been secured to a mouthpiece of usual construction, having as a part thereof the vibratory attachment, which latter is controlled by compression under varying degrees of pressure of the entire supplementary part. This action is less positive or less controllable than isdesirable. In this particular and in the matter of durability I design the present improvement to meet the requirement.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is a side View, and Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views.

A represents the mouthpiece, which in general contour is like that of ordinary construction. At the front, however, its formation differs, in that it has longitudinal extensions A on either side suitable for the purpose and to which is hinged a metallic leaf a, the pivot being shown at a. On the outer portion of leaf a are provided studs 1), by means of which may be conveniently attached or removed the artificial lip B, which latter is a disk of soft rubber. Perforations b are provided in the lip whereby it may be attached by means of the studs to leaf a. The

face of the leaf to which the lip is attached is inclined outward and upward to give the lip when in a normal position a downward inclination in front of the mouthpiece orifice. Outward of the leaf and between it and the adjacent portion of the principal end is interposed a spring 0 of sufficient strength to promptly restore the leaf to its extended position when released from pressure. By this construction the lengthening and shortening of the vibratory portion of the lip is obtained by fiexion instead of compression, which is effected by pressure of the upper teeth of the performer against the outer portion of leaf a, and at the same time the under lip of the performer is pressed against the free end of lip B. By this construction, in which flexion alone results from pressure, an accurate and definite vibration can be more readily obtained; also, an advantage is obtained, due to the inexpensive and ready manner in which the lip, the only portion liable to become impaired, may be replaced.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In amusioal instrument of the character specified, a piece of leaf a, adapted by flexion to lengthen or shorten the vibratory portion of an artificiallip B, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of lip B, hinged leaf a, and spring 0, with the mouthpiece A, substantially as described.

3. The hinged leaf a, provided with studs b, in combination with the perforated lip B, substantially as specified.

JOHN E. FOWLER. Witnesses:

E. F. WALLACE, H G. TEMPLETON. 

